ROPONEN AND GLOERSEN CLAIM VICTORY AT THE ENGADINER SKIMARATHON

The weather couldn’t have been better. While Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN, Fischer skis and boots) repeated her victory from last year, Anders Gloersen (NOR, Fischer) claimed victory already at his first start at the Engadiner Skimarathon over 42 kiloemeters in free technique ahead of Jean-Marc Gaillard (FRA, Fischer skis and boots).

Like almost every year at the Engadiner Skimarathon a big leading group stood together for a long time. Not until five kilometers before the finish it was Anders Gloersen who was able to open a gap. His brand mate Jean-Marc Gaillard was the only one who was able to close the gap one kilometer before the finish. However Gloersen, known as a very good sprinter, secured the victory in the final sprint on the home stretch. „I am really happy. When Jean-Marc caught me I was almost sure that he would beat me in the finish as I was already pretty tired. But somehow he was tired, too, I guess and so I was able to make it,“ said the overwhelmed winner.

Shortly behind these two a group of 13 racers sprinted for the following places. So Remo Fischer (SUI, Fischer) gained sixth plase and Petr Novak (CZE, Fischer skis, boots and poles) finished in eighth.

On the women’s side Riitta-Liisa Roponen was able to repeat last years victory. The Finn arrived just 3:35 minutes behind the fastest men and was exhausted, but happy: “It was a very tough race today. I didn’t feel so good. Somewhen I decided to just concentrate on myself and I didn’t check if there was someone coming from behind. So at the finish I was even more suprised about my victory.“

With todays victory Riitta-Liisa Roponen also took the victory in the FIS Marathon Cup ahead of Antonella Confortola Wyatt (ITA, Fischer), who achieved ninth and Seraina Boner (SUI, Fischer), who finished in sixth place today.